Ornithologist

Ornithologist

Noun · /ˌɔː.nɪˈθɒl.ə.dʒɪst/

Definition

A person who studies birds scientifically — their biology, behaviour, ecology, distribution, and classification; a scientist or specialist in ornithology.

Origin

From ornithology + -ist (the suffix forming agent nouns — one who practises a field or holds a belief). Ornithology from Greek ornithos (genitive of ornis, bird) + logos (word, reason, study). Ornis being the Greek word for bird — the same root in the proper name Orinthia, in ornithorhynchus (bird-beak — the duck-billed platypus genus), and in the Greek word for chicken, ornithos. The -ist suffix from Late Latin -ista, from Greek -istes, forming agent nouns. An ornithologist therefore being literally one who engages in the study and reasoning about birds.